1 God has taken his stand in the council of heaven; ♦
in the midst of the gods he gives judgement:
2 ‘How long will you judge unjustly ♦
and show such favour to the wicked?
3 ‘You were to judge the weak and the orphan; ♦
defend the right of the humble and needy;
4 ‘Rescue the weak and the poor; ♦
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5 ‘They have no knowledge or wisdom;
they walk on still in darkness: ♦
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 ‘Therefore I say that though you are gods ♦
and all of you children of the Most High,
7 ‘Nevertheless, you shall die like mortals ♦
and fall like one of their princes.’
8 Arise, O God and judge the earth, ♦
for it is you that shall take all nations for your possession.
Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.